On this occasion we stayed at one of Melbourne's most recent additions for accommodation Citadines apartments at 131 Bourke Street.
It was fabbo staying somewhere new and so close to all the great food outlets and shops we wanted to case out.
The bonus was a tram stop just out front, perfect to get to Southbank or St Kilda
and the vigorous traditional Thai massage (heaven) at 159 Bourke St (almost next to apartment)
my favourites...
Bar Lourinha
www.barlourinha.com.au Great for tapas and drinks with friends.
Cumulus Inc
www.cumulusinc.com.au 45 Flinders Lane
We always frequent this wonderful establishment when we are in Melbourne as its perfect for brekki, lunch, arvo drinks with snacks and dinner
May i suggest for brekki try the Pain d'epice with maple butter and candied walnuts mmmmmmm yummo
Or later in the day soft shell crab or Foie Gras parfait with a nice glass of Crawford River Rose....delish!
Longrain
www.longrain.com.au44 Little Bourke Street
Must-trys are: Gin Sin, Red Dragon or Ping Pong cocktail
Prawn and/or Trout Betel Leaf, Eggnet Salad or Red Peanut Curry with beef. Whenever we are in Melbourne or Sydney, Longrain is always a must-do.
Zak Pelaccio with Longrain executive chef Martin Boetz
For Zak's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival dinner check out the
QLD FBI blogIl Bacaro Cucina e Bar
www.ilbacaro.com.au168-170 Little Collins Street
This small restaurant is well worth the visit if you love simple, beautiful Italian food. Wait staff are so knowledgable, efficient and service was awesome on this occasion.
Cutler & Co
www.cutlerandco.com.au55-57 Gertrude Street Fitroy
I have always wanted to try this restaurant as it's chef Andrew McConnell's latest venture. He also owns my fav Cumulus Inc and this time around we were lucky enough to get a table. I was blown away first with customer service from telephone reservation through to staff on the floor. Our waitress was extremely knowledgable, efficient and friendly.
Now cutting to the chase, lets talk about the food... WOW, we tried 3 varieties of Oysters - Petit Clair, Clair de Lune and Label Rouge, so fresh, so good!! Beef Tartare and Cured Kingfish were sublime as was the Heirloom Tomato Salad.
My dining companions had the 1.1 kg dry aged Rib-eye to share, (perfectly cooked) Lamb Saddle with eggplant,purlane and spiced carrots and Suckling Pig with boudin noir, plum and kohlrabi also were eaten with gusto and smiles all round.
Desserts were tricky with amazing presentation, seeing is believing, I cannot talk them up enough - Lychee Sorbet with raspberry,rose and pistachio, Violet Icecream with chocolate ganache, sourcherry and clove meringue and Sesame Sponge with apricot sorbet, yoghurt and thyme butter cream were sampled.
I loved the feel of this restaurant, Melbourne is blessed with funky old buildings. Fit out, food and ambience was great.
Pizza Anyone?
We googled best pizza and i Carusi II came up so one of our evenings we jumped on the tram out front Citadines apartment and went to St Kilda. Getting off at the final stop we hung a right on foot and the restaurant was on the next block. The venue was packed and we were shown to cute little bar upstairs with Italian wines and cocktails. Mine was a mint based liquer with lemoncello etc - nice, unusual, unique. must say they have awesome staff... all Italian and gorgeous girls. We had antipasti and then came downstairs when our table was ready. The room ambiance was quirky with tall ceiling, wooden stairs and floor, white table cloths and tables were crammed in making me think about complaint I received about Freestyle at Rosalie a long time ago where customer was most unhappy sitting at long wooden table and said she wasn't that intimate with her own family let alone strangers so with a glass of wine I had a smirk thinking of days gone by (incidently Miss Kenmore, that table is at Freestyle Escape, most happy with all and sundry sitting at her)
Was it the best Pizza??? Mmm with Vespa and Beccofino here in brisbane, I am probably little bias as to who has the best pizza :)
But, dear reader, the ambiance and experience was worth it.....
231 Barkly Street St Kilda
www.icarusiii.com.auOriental Tea House
www.orientalteahouse.com.au one of 3 venues
455 Chapel Street South Yarra
Beautiful baking, bread and sweet treats.
While I'm sure you'll discover Haigh's, Koko Black, Lindt and Ganache under your own steam, may I suggest the Chocolate Walking Tours
www.chocoholictours.com.auPhillippa's
www.phillipas.com.auWe happened to be in Armidale so took a peek at Phillipa's.
Europa Cake Shop
www.europacakeshop.com81 Acland Street St Kilda
To find out where other foodies hot favourites are, check out the
travel pages on QLD FBI.Can't wait now for the Noosa Food and Wine Festival!
www.noosafoodandwine.com.au
